Tall ship, made famous in movies, visits Coos Bay

Share this story

COOS BAY - It may be one of the tallest ships to sail through Bay Area waters, as a 1780's replica beauty pays an unexpected first visit to Coos Bay.

Coming from St. Petersburg, Florida, the HMS Bounty was docked at the Coos Bay Boardwalk on Wednesday to refuel and repair, due to stormy weather conditions.

The 180-foot wooden, full rigged ship is primarily used for entertainment purposes, having appeared in several movies and TV shows.

Built in Nova Scotia, it was first created for the movie, Mutiny on the Bounty.

"This particular vessel was built in 1962 for the Marlon Brando movie," says Captain Robin Walbridge. "It was supposed to be burned in that movie and Marlon Brando said if you burn the ship, I'm not going to finish the movie. That's why we have the ship today."

Since then, it's been in other movies including Treasure Island, Pirates of the Caribbean and Sponge Bob Square Pants.

Besides its mark in the film industry, it's also used as a tourist attraction and training vessel to help teach people about square rig sailing and what it's like to sail centuries ago.

"This is when great explorers we're doing their explorations like Captain Cook," says Walbridge. "But, also this particular vessel was the attractive trailer of the day, hauling a lot of cargo."

Unfortunately, the HMS Bounty won't be providing any dockside tours. The crew has plans to leave Thursday morning on its way to Victoria, British Columbia for a tall ship show.